Vapor-generator.



No. 669,738. Patented Mar. l2, IQ OI.

E. THOMSON.

VAPOR GENERATOR.

' (Application filed Aug. 6, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I I I m: mums PETERS 00.. momuma. WASNINGTCN. D. c.

No. 669,738. Patented Mar. I2, |90l. E. THOMSON.

VAPOR GENERATOR. A lication filed Aug. 6, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 669,738. Patented Mar. l2, I90l. E. THOMSON.

VAPOR GENERATOR.

(Apphcatxon filed Aug 6 1898 3 Sheets-$haet 3.

No Model.)

1 NITED STATES rFicE.

VAPOR-G EN ERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 669,738, dated March 12, 1901.

Application filed August 6, 1898. Serial No. 687.919. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELII-IU THOMSON, a citi zen of the United States, and a resident of Swampscott, county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vaporizers or Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction, compactness, and effectiveness of apparatus for generating vapor from water by combustion of fuel, such as gas, or particularly oil.

My present improvements are applicable to such Vaporizers or steam-generators as are described and claimed by me in prior applications for Letters Patent, particularly in those in which a definite relation between the fuel consumed and the water supplied is always maintained during changes of both.

I am enabled by my invention to combine in a compact and simple apparatus of few parts the functions of a Vapor or oil furnace and a coil-boiler in close relation, whereby the heat is thoroughly utilized and escapes of hot air prevented from causing great loss.

I am also able by my invention to increase the duty or effectiveness of a number of pounds of vapor in the production of dry steam, as an example of which I may mention that in an apparatus weighing less than fifty pounds I have been able to obtain an evaporation of seventy eight pounds per hour.

While in the figures of this specification my improved steam-generator has been shown in connection with a surrounding water-tank to receive Whatever escape heat there is from the sides, it will be understood that the water-tank may be dispensed with and a simple non-conducting lagging substituted therefor, or the lagging may be omitted where thelosses of heat are not serious.

I have deemed it unnecessary in my present specification to describe the means for pumping or feeding oil, air, and Water under pressure, as that is shown in and forms the subject of a prior application. Suffice it to say that in my present described arrangement I use some of the elements of construction which have been embodied in prior ap plications, especially such improvements as relate to the proportioning and delivery of oil, air, and water to the apparatus and the storing of heat in slabs of refractory material within the fire-chamber. It will therefore be unnecessary in the present instance to de= scribe in detail these particular parts of thd apparatus.

Figure 1 represents a plan in section of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in setion, of the same structure. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 refer to modifications, improvements, and devices for special purposes, While Figs. 6, 7, and 8 relate to still further modifications.

In Fig. 1, W is a surrounding water-tank, which may be dispensed with, as before stated, in some cases.

F is a fire-chamber or fire-space within ahollow cylinder, having a refractory lining L L.

H is a fire-head described in prior applications and having a jet Jwith'numeroius openings for mixed oil and air to enter the firespace F. The oilpipe is at O and the air-pipe at- A, and oil and air are pumped in such relation as to secure complete combustion within the fire-space. The jet J is removable for lighting and inspection. It may be secured in place by a nut N, turned around thp body of the jet against a stop S, which may be swung out of the way when the jet is to be removed. There are openings on a, as in my former application, allowing air alone to enter the fire-space irrespective of the oil-andair mixture referred to. Perforated slabs or a mass of refractory material having openings are arranged as at B and B I prefer to make a double set, as at B and B with a space F between them. The airand oil burning in the fire-space F and in the perforations of the refractory mass B and B are finally driven into E against a refractory back or lining L From this portion of the apparatus F they turn back and pass over the exterior casing surrounding the lining L L and between innumerable projections extending inwardly from the inner surface of a tube of copper, such as a copper casting O O. The interior projections of C C fit closely to the lining of the casing bearing the lining L L. The projections from the copper or other metal tube of cylinder 0 0 form a most effective heat-receiving surface, and the cylinder O is heated by the gases passing between the projections and its inner surface. Outside of and bound firmly into contact with the surface cylinder 0 O is a flattened pipe, preferably a copper pipe, coiled flatwise against the outside of the cylinder. This coiled pipe, the flat end of which is at Tand the other end at E E is a close coil around a a shell of cylinder 0 C and rapidly takes heat therefrom. Through this flattened coil water is pumped, as by the entrance-pipe E E It circulates through the coil and by the time it reaches the exit-pipe T is converted into steam or superheated steam. Outside of this coiled pipe any non-conductingjacketing may be placed, or a metal tube may be slipped on or any suitable casing given. The waste gases after traversing the spaces between the inte- Vrior projections of the cylinder 0 O escape at openings or passages at D D around the firing-head H.

In this construction it will be seen that the heat is not directly communicated to the coiled pipe surrounding the casingiC C, but that the casing or cylinder 0 0 takes up the heat from the gases of the fire through innumerable projections and delivers this heat by mere con-' tact to one side of the liquid-pipe around 0 0. There are certain advantages in this construction which will be pointed out in describing the operation.

The operation is as follows: Assuming that proper pumping apparatus has been provided for feeding water into the tube E and for feed: ing oil at O, with air at A, in the proper relative amounts, thefire is started by taking out jet J and inserting the flame of a torch for a few moments,heating the firing-head H, which contains passages for the distribution of the air A to the jet and for the delivery of oil (as is clearly seen) to the jet. Starting grad ually to deliver the mixed oil and air, a flame is produced within the chamber F, and the plug or jet J may be inserted and the feed of. oil and air gradually increased. In a short time the refractory material B becomes red-hot, and subsequently that in B as well as the sides of the firing-chamber F and possibly F. Combustion is nearly completed by the time the gases arrive at F and before they return between the projections extending inwardly from the hollow cylinder 0 C. The gases, however, are intensely hot on leaving the space F and are driven with force through the passages around the projections on O O, heating the end toward F very rapidly, and the gases by the time they reach the openings or exits D D are comparatively cool. A very short time after starting the apparatus is ready to produce steam under pressure by pumping the requisite proportion of water through a coil beyond 0 O. The effect of this pumping is to shrink the coil hard against the cylinder 0 O, and if the parts are of copper a rapid transfer of heat from the casing C C to the coil or pipe takes place, with the result of an extremely economical production of vapor withoutdanger of explosion and with only amoderate length ofcoilorpipe for the output. This latter feature is owing to the fact that the heat is not picked up by the coil itself exposed to the fire-gases, which would, in fact, injure the integrity of the coil, as the flame is fierce, but is picked up by the robust casing 0 0, around which the coil-pipe is wound. I find there is no difflculty in communicating the heat from such a cylinder 0 C from the pipe coiled thereon, as the passage of the cold water in the pipe tends to shrink it firmly to the face of the cylinder 0 O.

The structure has other advantages, chief among which is that if the casing O G be at such a temperature as would cause water thrown against it to assume a spheroidal state and slip by, and even if the face or wall of the flattened tube through E to T, lying in contact with the casing O 0, becomes hot enough to cause the liquid passing therethrough to assume this spheroidal state, the outside portion of the coil not exposed to the hot jacket or cylinder 0 O is cooler or more easily cooled and does not, on account of spheroidal state,

forbid the contact of water with it. This results in immediate steam product-ion, and an enormous output can thus be easily obtained, since there will always be at some portion of the transverse section of the pipe or coil metal at the proper temperature to produce steam at a high rate, even though the portion of the coiled pipe next the cylinder 0 C be beyond the effective temperature orhot enough to cause the liquid to assume the spheroidal condition.

My apparatus also makes it easy to effect repairs, as any injury to the coiled pipe itself may be remedied by the substitution of another coil without affecting the integrity of the rest of the structure; but I find by actual trial that the endurance is quite satisfactory, especially when the amout of water pumped to the vaporizing-coil is kept in due relation to the amount of fuel and air. I have found it possible where the copper cylinder C O is but five inches in diameter and ten inches long to evaporate over seventy pounds of water per hour, consuming about one pound of ordinary kerosene oil to fourteen pounds of water.

I have shown modifications in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. The firing-jet J in Fig. t is provided with a lighting-torch V, which may be made of a plug of fire-clay or asbestos inserted in the end of the jet J within the firechamber F To start the apparatus, the plug or jet J is removed and the torch V wet with kerosene-oil and lighted by a match.

In this condition it is inserted into the the space and the air and oil at A and O gradually brought on in proper relation. This is ignited by the torch V in the fire-space, and in a very short time the refractory material B is red-hot or able to continue the combustion unaided by the torch, while at any moment after starting or after the refractory IIO material B and B is heated all the supply of air and fuel at A and 0 may be cut off for a considerable period, and the apparatus will, by the heat storedin the refractory material, relight on the restoration of the air-and-oil stream. I have in Fig. 4 shown, however, a device which assists in the relighting operation and makes it possible that in a moderate-sized apparatusfin which the total length may not be more than sixteen or eighteen inches, relighting may occur after an hour or two hours of rest by simply restoring the oil and air. To this end I establish a sort of cartridge or head K beyond the fire-space, consisting of areceptacle lined heavily withgood non-conducting, but refractory, material. I prefer to arrange within this lining a separated mass, such as a circular mass of refractory material, supported only at a few points from the lining K. This is marked E. This ball or central mass is separated from the outer non-conducting refractory mass in order that it may retain heat for as long a time as possible. In fact an intermediate separate shell might exist between K and R; but it is generally unnecessary to so complicate the structure. Openings are made, as shown, whereby furnace-gas may not only circulate through the center of the ball R and within its mass, but also outside thereof, escaping into the space F. A portion, therefore, of the hot gases from the fire-space is diverted from the direct course into the space F and caused to heat the mass of non-conducting material beyond, which gradually attains a high temperature, which high temperature is retained for a long time after stoppage and serves as a means of relightingwhen oil and air are again sent through. If, however, the apparatus has rested for too long a time, relighting is again easily effected by using the torch V, and the facility of relightin g is of course assisted by any heat that remains in the parts.

It will be noted in Figs. 3 and 4 that the casing surrounding the fire-resisting lining L Lisa hollow cylinder of metal 0 O, innumerable projections from which extend outwardly, and around this has been. placed (as by shrinking on) a second casing, (seen in Fig. 3,) as at C The object is to make the casing surrounding the fire space or firelining L L and G C comparatively integral to the casing 0 outside of the projections. In fact, these two parts might be made of one piece of metal, where the difficulty of making the innumerable passages between them is overcome. I prefer to make them both ofcopperor good non-conducting material for heat, although iron may be used. Outside of Other castions on one or the other or both.

ings of non-conductor for heat, and, if desired, the water-tank W,which forms the supply of water to be pumped through the coil I I, surround the structure, as described, and serve to prevent waste or escape of heat externally. I sometimes dispense with the water-tank W W and merely surround the coiled pipe II with an asbestos or othernonconducting fire-resisting lagging. The gases, as in Figs. 1 and 2, pass forward from the jet J, combustion going on, and the heated products of combustion are forced between the two casings C and C while delivering their heat rapidly to the casings. They are comparatively quite cool on reaching the exitopenings D D, having delivered their heat to the casings, which in turn have delivered heat to the flattened coil I I, resting and bound firmly upon the casing, which heat has been utilized in vthe production of steam or highpressure vapor from the liquid forced in at E This liquid or vapor may be used in suitable engines described by me in other applications for the production of power economically, and the steam-generator of my invention may be used in the propulsion of horseless vehicles or for boat propulsion, constituting a cleanly, manageable, and extremely efficient apparatus.

In Fig. 5 the relations of the openings in the hollowhead Rand K are shown. The central opening and the two side openings are connected as in the horizontal section, Fig. 4. They are marked in Fig. 5 rf f t It will be noticed that in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and at the gases of the tire, or those which have passed the fire-spaces F, F, F and F are returned to the front of the firing-head between the metal casings and between the projec- They are thus delivered through openings in the firinghead itself, as at D D, and whatever heat they possess is in large measure delivered to the firing-head itself to warm up the air entering at A and to assist in vaporizing the oil entering at O.

count of still greater complexity of structure may still be used. In Figs. 6 and 7 the 1ining L L of the fire-chamber surrounding the jet J is made so as to have spaces between it and the metallic shell which sustains or incases the lining, and into the spaces between this lining L L and the metallic case C are openings from the fire-space F, and thus the gases of the fire have immediate access to the metal of the casing 0 without traversing the length or without being conducted through the refractory linings, as in prior figures. The gases in part pass through the fire-resisting slabs B B, which act as for storage of heat and for preventing extinction, as also for relighting after intervals of rest, and the gases then traverse a number of accessory supports or hollow cylinders, upon each of which is placed a coil or flattened tube which is made continuous with that upon the main or outer casing O--' 6., water entering pipe E passes through a flattened coil wound closely upon the casing O, heated hythe fire gases underneath or exteriorly. This coil is continued to the end of the casing and then connects with a shorter coil lying on the secondary interior casing, as at O and this connects with a coil upon the tertiary casing, and so on until the final exit or delivery of pipe T is reached. The passages as provided for the firegases are as clearly indicated in the figure. The gases of the fire have a passage near the center under one of the casings and over the innermost coil. The gases then return under the secondary casing O and again under part of the casing O, and, lastly, over the interior of the casing O and the coiledpipe thereon to be delivered at openings D D through the firing-head H. It will be seen that in this structure, as in those preceding, the major part of the heat is delivered to the coiled pipe from the casing upon which the coil rests and which casing is subjected more immediately to the gases coming from the firet'. 6., the firegas'es in their most intensely heated condition do not reach the coil, but are brought into contact with metallic casings upon which the coils rest or in contact with which they are placed, and through this contact the easings deliver heat and are thereby prevented from being superheated themselves, while they at the same time offer an effective shield to, the coil itself from too vigorous action of the fire. I

In the structures of my invention there is also the super-added quality or condition that the casings or shells upon which the coiled pipe or steam-generating coil is wound or with which the pipe is closely associated have a considerable heat conductivity in their length, while in the coil itself, on account of the separation laterally of the turns, the heat conductivity in the length of the coil is practicallysoslightastobe negligible. Theeffect, then, of the casing or supporting-shell upon which the steam-generating coil is wound is not alone by its large and extended surface,

due to the projections and its exposure to the immediate gases of the fire to transmit heat rapidly from the firing-gases to the coil, but also to distribute or spread the heating effect, so as to prevent a too intense action of the heating-gases upon any turn or few turns of the coil. This the casing does by its conducting power for heat, whereby if the portion nearest the fire-space F F, Fig. 4, for example, tends to become highly heated, conduction of heat in the direction toward the firehead II or toward the exit-openin gs D D tends greatly to moderate excessive differences of temperature. It will be seen also that the casings supporting the steam-coil serve also as the fire-casings and retain the refractory linings and form the support for the firinghead l-I, while the most thorough utilization of the heat is obtained, owing to the fact that heat escaping through the refractory lining of the fire-chambers can only reach the casings, and thereby be delivered to the cold-water feed at E while any heat conducted from the casings O to the head H is utilized in warming the air and oil passing the jet J to the firechamber. Furthermore, the waste gases, after having delivered their heat by passing the casings upon which the coiled tube is wound, still further deliver heat on their passage by openings at D D in a flangedportion of the firing-head H. The head H, cooled by the incoming air and oil, remains at a comparatively moderate temperature and the whole exterior of the apparatus shows but little evidence of the high temperature within. When the exterior is jacketed by asbestos or other non-conducting material, the heat escape therefrom is practically negligible, and if the apparatus be surrounded by a feedwater tank W W thelittle loss there is is caught and utilized to a large extent. In fact, when the apparatus is in full work the gases delivered at D D are seldom hot enough to scorch paper and the hand may be borne for some time directly in the stream. At the same timethe combustion of the oil and fuel is so perfect as to evolve no odor or smoke.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a steam-generator or vaporizing apparatus, a coil of pipe through which water or other liquid to be vaporized is forced, having an extended contact upon the exterior of a conducting metallic cylinder or casing, the interior face of which cylinder receives heat from the fire-gases.

2. In a steam-generator or vaporizer, a coil consisting of a flattened pipe through which the liquid to be vaporized is forced, said pipe being kept in close metallic contact with the outside wall of a metal casing or cylinder for receiving heat from said cylinder, and the interior of said casing or cylinder being exposed to the fire-gases.

3. In a steam-generator or vaporizing apparatus, a coil traversed by the liquid to be vaporized;consisting of a flattened pipe placed in close metallic contact upon a metal cylinder so as to receive heat from said cylinder, the interior of said cylinder being exposed to fire-gases, and the coil itself being protected from the fire-gases, substantially as described.

4. A steam-generator or vaporizer,consisting of a coiled pipe through which water is forced, said coiled pipe being sustained in close metallic contact with a heat receiving and distributing casing or cylinder, with metal projections from the casing or cylinder for increasing the surface exposed to the firegases, substantially as described.

5. A steam-generator or vaporizer, consisting of a fire-head with jet for delivery of combustible and air to the fire-chamber, a refractory lining for the fire-chamber, masses of fire-resisting material having openings ators of the kind described, a compact mass of refractory material, supported Within and spaced apart from an outer lining of refractory heat-non-conducting material, the Whole surrounded by a metallic casing,substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of July, 1898.

ELIHU THOMSON. Witnesses:

DUGALD MCKILLOP, JOHN MCMANUS. 

